Warming Might Lower Crop Yields

Today’s inbox contained an AAAS email with some interesting news about climate change:

Capitol Hill Briefing: Warmer Climate Could Wither U.S. Crop YieldsA leading agricultural economist told a Capitol Hill briefing co-sponsored by AAAS that the current global trend of rising average temperatures could cause dramatic reductions in crop yields within a decade—and major crops such as corn and soybeans could be diminished by 20 percent from 2020 to 2049. Data and models also show that, should emissions of heat trapping carbon dioxide remain on a “business as usual” path, the yield reductions could be as much as 80 percent for the period from 2070 to 2099. Another agricultural expert told the briefing how drought management and planning for drought mitigation at all levels of government could soften the economic blow in the United States, which also influences world food prices. Read more about the recommendations.

Falling crop yields obviously means higher prices and food shortages. It would probably also mean more competition for water as farmers try to mitigate sustained droughts.